Kilimanjaro's Glaciers NOT Melting After All
A "fresh assessment" (one that probably didn't just use computer modeling but looked at the actual facts?) has revealed that the glaciers on Mount Kilimanjaro are set to be with us for decades to come. It had earlier been reported that the galciers were melting - the result of all those 4x4's driving up and down them. In fact, rather embarassingly for scientist it seems, the glaciers have actually grown over the last year. Oops! Here's what the Innsbruck research team said:
Precipitation and not temperature is the key to the white peak's future, the University of Innsbruck-led team says.
"About five years ago Kilimanjaro was being used as an icon for global warming. We know now that this was far too simplistic a view," said Thomas Moelg.
"We have done different kinds of modelling and we expect the plateau glaciers to be gone roughly within 30 or 40 years from now, but we have a certain expectation that the slope glaciers may last longer," added colleague Georg Kaser.
The research team has been using three automated instrument stations on the top of the mountain to collect continuous data on temperature, pressure, solar radiation, humidity and wind.
The recording effort was in position late last year to witness heavy snowfall, which will have led to a slight increase in Kilimanjaro's overall ice volume.
Well that's a relief anyway. Goodness know what we would have done with all that water...at a time when GW should be causing grave water shortages...
NB. With thanks to Paul Flett for this story.
Peter C Glover
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